How hormonal drugs affect a woman’s body. How do hormonal pills affect a woman’s body? Add your price to the database Comment

Many women, trying to insure themselves against an unplanned pregnancy, take hormonal drugs, as a result of which they begin to develop serious health problems.

What consequences from contraceptive drugs can occur in women?

Long-term use of hormonal drugs provokes disruption of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Their effect on the nervous system leads to an imbalance in the mechanisms of wakefulness and sleep, which manifests itself in irritability, insomnia, headaches, aggressiveness, and deep depression. After taking birth control pills, a woman’s optic nerve often becomes inflamed, her vision deteriorates, and her eyes become swollen.

Long-term exposure to contraceptive drugs leads to changes in blood sugar levels. Tissues gradually lose their sensitivity to insulin, resulting in the development of diseases such as pancreatitis and diabetes.

Effects of oral contraceptives on organs

The consequences of taking contraceptives can manifest themselves in liver dysfunction. Acting as a detoxifier, the liver neutralizes harmful substances introduced along with hormonal drugs. Gradually wearing out, the organ loses its ability to neutralize poisons, which provokes the occurrence of cholecystitis, hepatitis, and liver adenoma.

The consequences of taking contraceptives also manifest themselves in dysfunction of other organs. The stomach suffers from the effects of hormonal drugs. The protective film does not withstand the aggressive effects of the drug and is destroyed, which entails thinning of the walls of the stomach and the occurrence of diseases such as duodenitis, gastritis, ulcers, and dysbacteriosis.

The urinary system is also negatively affected by synthetic contraceptives. The consequences of taking birth control pills can lead to cystitis and kidney disease. Long-term use of contraceptives can lead to thyroid dysfunction. There is a change in the concentration of hormones, which entails disruption of the ovaries.

Negative consequences of taking contraceptives that affect the reproductive system

Hormonal contraception has a negative impact on the female reproductive system. Artificial hormones provoke:

1. weakening of ovarian function, which leads to disruption of the menstrual cycle;
2. suppression of the endometrium, which entails the occurrence of tumors and uterine bleeding.

Taking contraceptive hormonal drugs leads to the fact that the reproductive system gradually atrophies as unnecessary (if the drugs are taken for more than 5 years). A woman who decides to conceive a baby, but takes hormonal pills for at least a few months, is at risk of premature birth and late miscarriages.

How do oral contraceptives affect body weight?

Taking hormonal contraceptives may subsequently lead to slight weight gain. In the body of even a healthy woman, under the influence of drugs, a hormonal imbalance occurs, and if the patient has a history of problems with the thyroid gland, then weight gain can be significant. Synthetic hormones suppress the body's own glands and interfere with the body's metabolic processes.

The consequences of long-term use of contraceptives lead to the development of a stable depressive state. Women are increasingly experiencing bad moods, irritation and even nervous breakdowns. A stable dependence on the drug occurs: the female body requires the use of a contraceptive to maintain hormonal balance.

Femininity and youth

Long-term exposure to synthetic hormonal agents causes premature ovarian hypofunction. They decrease in size and their hormonal activity is inhibited. The consequences of birth control pills lead to the active synthesis of male hormones. A woman develops masculine traits and loses her femininity.

With the onset of menopause, a woman stops artificially “defending herself” from unwanted conception. After stopping oral synthetic contraceptives, her body begins to age rapidly. He no longer receives the hormones he needs for normal functioning. The consequences of taking birth control pills lead to the fact that a woman’s health deteriorates, her body weakens, and fatigue occurs quickly.

How do oral contraceptives affect heredity?

Taking hormonal drugs by the mother has a negative impact on the future female generation. Often in girls, the menstrual cycle is disrupted and endocrine diseases occur. The consequences of birth control pills can manifest themselves as follows: having conceived a child, it becomes difficult for young women to carry a pregnancy to term normally, and there is a risk of developing a defective fetus.

Before starting to take hormonal pills, a woman must consult a doctor and, after weighing all the negative aspects, as well as the consequences of taking birth control pills, make a decision.

For many of us, the term “hormonal medications” sounds ominous. In the minds of most people who are not involved in medicine and pharmaceuticals, hormones are monstrous pills that bring a lot of equally monstrous side effects.

What are these fears based on? And if hormones are so harmful, why are they used so widely? Let's try to figure out together what hormonal pills actually are.

Classification

Hormonal medications contain hormones or substances that have properties similar to hormones (hormonoids). Hormones are produced in the human endocrine glands and spread through the bloodstream to various organs and systems, regulating the vital functions of the body.

Hormonal drugs can be divided into hormone preparations:

• pituitary gland
  These include human chorionic gonadotropin and oxytocin, known probably to every woman;

• thyroid gland.
  These drugs are used to treat insufficient production of one's own hormones (for example, hypothyroidism) and the opposite condition - excess production of hormones;

• pancreas.
  The most famous drugs in this group are insulin preparations;

• parathyroid glands;

• adrenal cortex.
  This group includes glucocorticosteroids, which are widely used in many branches of medicine as anti-inflammatory, antiallergic and analgesic agents;

• sex hormones: estrogens (the main one is estradiol), gestagens, androgens;

• anabolic agents.

What is treated with hormonal pills?

Despite the very wary attitude towards hormonal drugs on the part of patients, we can safely say that these drugs are extremely necessary and important. Often only hormonal drugs can provide a chronically ill person with a decent quality of life, and sometimes save life itself.

Therapy with hormonal pills is necessary for:

- oral contraception;

- hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women and elderly men suffering from testosterone deficiency;

- treatment of inflammatory and allergic diseases;

- treatment of hormonal deficiency.
These pathologies include hypothyroidism, type 1 diabetes mellitus, Addison's disease and other diseases;

- treatment of many oncological diseases.

Oral contraception. Achievements of modern medicine

The first studies that laid the foundation for the development of hormonal contraceptives were carried out back in 1921. Ten years later, scientists had already precisely clarified the structure of steroid hormones and discovered that high doses of sex hormones inhibit, that is, block ovulation.

The first combined hormonal contraceptive was released in 1960 by American pharmacists. It contained really high doses of hormones, and therefore had not only contraception, but also a lot of side effects.

Over time, the situation has changed dramatically. In the 90s of the last century, hormonoids were synthesized, which, along with high activity, have excellent tolerability. Therefore, modern women do not have to worry about the extra pounds gained as a result of taking hormonal birth control pills. This side effect is a thing of the past along with the loading doses of active ingredients contained in the first contraceptives.

The effectiveness of all contraceptives is assessed using the Pearl index, which determines the probability of pregnancy within one year with constant use of the drugs. On average, the Pearl index of hormonal contraceptives ranges from 0.3% to 2-3%. The maximum value of this indicator reaches 8%.

If a woman has average fertility and does not become pregnant from her husband's toothbrushes, the chance of pregnancy rarely exceeds 1%. Of course, subject to daily use of the tablets.

However, let's return to classifications. Modern hormonal contraceptives can be:

1. combined;

2. non-combined (mini-pill);

3. emergency contraceptive pills.

Let's try to figure out how these groups differ.

1. Combined hormonal contraceptives: COCs

The funny abbreviation COC hides very serious medications, which are the most popular modern contraceptives. All COCs include two active ingredients - estrogen and gestagen. Ethinyl estradiol is used as estrogen, and levonorgestrel, norgestrel, desogestrel and other synthetic hormones can act as a gestagen.

The dose of ethinyl estradiol in modern COCs is much lower than in the first “killer” tablets. Because of this, side effects of estrogen such as weight gain, breast tenderness, and nausea are rare when taking new medications.

Monophasic COCs have a constant dose of estrogen and progestin in each tablet. Despite the fact that during the menstrual cycle the concentration of hormones in a woman’s body is not constant, monophasic contraceptives are a strictly defined dose taken daily.

Biphasic contraceptives contain two types of pills in one package. The main difference between the second type of tablets is the increased content of gestogen, which is also characteristic of the physiological cycle.

However, three-phase COCs are traditionally considered the most adapted to the menstrual cycle. They include three groups of tablets. The concentration of active substances in each group approaches the content of estrogens and gestagens in a certain phase of the menstrual cycle. The first group of tablets imitates the follicular phase, which lasts 5 days, the second - the periovulatory phase, which lasts 6 days, and the last - the luteal phase, the longest 10-day phase. At the same time, the concentration of estrogen in three-phase COCs, as well as in the menstrual cycle, is maximum, and the level of gestagen increases from the first phase to the third.

Pharmacology: how do hormonal birth control pills work?

The contraceptive effect of all hormonal birth control pills, regardless of composition and dosage, is based on blocking the release of hormones responsible for ovulation and implantation. The ovaries practically “fall asleep”, decreasing in size. Ultimately, hormonal pills:

• suppress ovulation;
• change the properties of cervical mucus. As a result of this effect, the cervical canal becomes a real barrier for nimble sperm;
• change the state of the endometrium, as a result of which the “lining” of the inner surface of the uterus does not allow the egg to implant if fertilization does occur.

How to take hormonal birth control pills?

The answer to the question of how to take hormonal pills that protect against pregnancy can be expressed in one single word: regularly. Depending on the period for which the course is designed - 21 or 28 days - the tablets should be taken once a day throughout the entire treatment period, preferably at the same time.

An important question that concerns most women taking COCs is what to do if the patient forgot to take the pill on time. First of all, don't panic. The situation is solvable and, in general, very banal.

Secondly, the missed pill should be taken immediately after memory is restored. Take the next pill as scheduled, even if you have to take two pills at the same time.

Thirdly, the period during which the woman forgot about the need to use protection should be assessed. The following actions depend on the “statute of limitations”.

If the delay is no more than 12 hours, you can calm down - the effectiveness of contraception will remain the same, that is, close to 100%. If this period lasted more than 12 hours, you will have to use additional methods of protection, for example, barrier or spermicidal.

Monophasic COCs: effectiveness and popularity

The most popular and widespread hormonal contraceptives include monophasic drugs. Many gynecologists believe that these products are the best hormonal pills for women under the age of 35, and patient reviews confirm this.

Monophasic contraceptives contain tablets of the same color. Despite the fact that the packaging may contain a strict diagram of the use of tablets (usually in order of priority), this does not carry any special meaning. And if you manage to take a pill at the very beginning of the cycle, intended for use, say, on day 25, absolutely nothing bad will happen - after all, all the pills have the same composition.

Most COCs that saturate the Russian pharmaceutical market are monophasic. The choice of drugs is so wide that even experienced gynecologists sometimes hesitate before prescribing the drug to patients. Therefore, we will consider only those hormonal pills that can be classified as “new”, modern means.

The German drug Logest, which is produced by the well-known company SCHERING, S.A., contains 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and 75 mcg of gestodene. The product is available in a package of 21 tablets. Logest is an excellent drug for young women.

Lindineth

Hormonal tablets Lindinet 20 are a complete analogue of the German Logest. The drugs have the same composition, and the only difference can be considered the color - Lindineta tablets have a pale yellow shell. Lindineta is manufactured by the Hungarian company GEDEON RICHTER.

Lindinet 30 differs from its brother only in the dosage of estrogen (30 mcg).

Hormonal tablets Zhanine produced by SCHERING contain 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg progestin (dienogest). The Pearl index with regular use of Janine does not exceed 1%.

The main difference between Zhanine and other COCs is the antiandrogenic activity that dienogest has. Therefore, Janine is prescribed to patients with elevated levels of male sex hormones. In addition, the hypocholesterolemic, that is, lowering cholesterol levels in the blood, effect of dienogest has been proven.

The German drug Yarina is one of the most popular monophasic hormonal contraceptives in tablets. The medicine contains 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg drospirenone.

The properties of Yarina and Zhanin are very similar. Yarina helps reduce high-density lipoprotein levels and has an antiandrogenic effect. Thanks to this quality, Yarina is also considered a remedy for acne: hormonal tablets are prescribed as part of complex acne therapy. The drug helps reduce sebum production and reduce the manifestations of the disease.

One of the very well-known hormonal contraceptives in tablets is Diane-35, which is produced by SCHERING. The drug contains 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg of the antiandrogenic gestagen cyproterone acetate.

Diane has pronounced antiandrogenic activity, which makes it possible to prescribe it for the treatment of acne and seborrhea. In addition, Diane-35 is the drug of choice for contraception in women who have mild manifestations of hirsutism - excess hair growth.

Among tablets with antiandrogenic activity, the popular hormonal contraceptive Jess occupies a special place. It contains 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg drospirenone. The gestagen included in Jess neutralizes the side effects of estrogen. In this regard, the drug is very well tolerated, and swelling and weight gain are practically excluded.

In addition, drospirenone softens the manifestations of premenstrual syndrome, including pronounced ones. To all the positive properties of Jess, you can add a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels, which manifests itself in an increase in the concentration of high-density lipoproteins (HDL). But it is HDL that removes excess cholesterol from the body.

COCs containing drospirenone also include the Hungarian hormonal tablets Midiana. They differ from Jess only in their higher content of ethinyl estradiol, the dose of which is 30 mcg.

Among the low-dose COCs, it is also worth noting the hormonal tablets Rigevidon, Femoden, Novinet, Miniziston, Microgynon, Regulon.

This is not the end of the list of monophasic contraceptives registered in Russia. However, they are used much less frequently, so we will immediately move on to the following categories of COCs.

Table “Monophasic COCs”

Two-phase and three-phase COCs: time-tested

As we have already said, two- and three-phase hormonal contraceptives act more physiologically. However, most often doctors prefer to use the first group of drugs. What causes this?

The fact is that changes in hormone concentrations are associated with an inevitable increase in the dose of active substances. As a result, the side effects of biphasic and triphasic drugs are more pronounced than low-dose monophasic drugs.

Biphasic COCs are among the rarely used drugs. Among them there are products whose names are often unusual even for the pharmacist, not to mention the patients - Anteovin, Nuvelle, Orfo-Novum, Bi-Novum.

Three-phase contraceptives are better known and popular. However, their disadvantages in the form of standard side effects are no less pronounced than those of biphasic drugs. Three-phase COCs are easy to “calculate” by their name, which, as a rule, begins with “three”: Triziston, Triquilar, Tri-mercy, Tri-regol, Trister.

Tablets of two- and three-phase hormonal contraceptives are colored in different colors depending on the composition: in two-phase preparations - two colors, and in three-phase preparations - three. Such medications must be taken strictly according to the schedule. Usually, the COC currency is replete with various arrows and other bright marks designed to help a woman understand the peculiarities of using multi-colored tablets. After all, if you accidentally mix up the color of the pills, the contraceptive effect is reduced.

Useful contraceptives? Advantages of COC

Oral contraceptives are designed not only to provide a direct, contraceptive effect. They have a lot of other, often no less important, indications, including:

— treatment of menstrual disorders and PMS.
The use of COCs helps to normalize the cycle, reduce blood loss during menstruation, and also reduce premenstrual syndrome;

- treatment of acne, seborrhea and acne.
Complex therapy for dermatological diseases in women often includes COCs with an antiandrogenic effect. Hormonal tablets significantly reduce sebum synthesis, helping to reduce the appearance of acne. In patients suffering from seborrhea who take COCs, the level of sebum is normalized and hair loss is noticeably reduced;

— prevention of benign diseases of the mammary gland and pelvic organs.
COCs suppress the stimulation of the ovaries by follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones. Therefore, regular use of hormonal birth control pills significantly reduces the risk of the formation of functional cysts and benign nodes in the mammary glands;

- prevention of ovarian cancer and endometrial carcinoma.
When taking oral contraceptives regularly, the risk of ovarian cancer is reduced by as much as 40%. This protection lasts even 15 years after stopping taking hormonal pills. The longer you take a COC, the longer it takes for the anti-cancer effects to appear.

And that is not all. The likelihood of developing endometrial adenocarcinoma (uterine cancer) in women treated with hormonal birth control pills is reduced by 50%. The protective effect persists for 15 years after stopping COC use.

Negative aspects of combined hormones

We would be lying if we say that COCs are extremely healthy drugs. During treatment with hormonal contraceptive pills, sometimes adverse consequences cannot be avoided. The negative aspects of COCs include:

- the likelihood of side effects, including nausea, breakthrough bleeding, increased sensitivity and breast enlargement. However, some ladies use hormonal pills just to enlarge their bust, so sometimes this effect can be attributed to the positive qualities of COCs;

- the need for regular daily use;

— the likelihood of delayed ovulatory cycles after discontinuation of COCs.

When is hormonal contraception prohibited?

There are several conditions in which the use of any hormonal contraceptive pills is excluded. These pathologies include:

• cardiovascular diseases;
• deep vein thrombosis;
• diabetes mellitus with vascular complications;
• oncological diseases;
• abnormal vaginal bleeding;
• liver diseases;
• age over 35 years;
• smoking.

Drugs containing drospirenone - Jess, Angelique and others - are also contraindicated in patients with kidney, adrenal or liver diseases. This is due to the fact that drospirenone has an antimineralocorticoid effect.

Hormonal contraceptives and venous insufficiency: incompatibility No. 1

Many women know that hormonal pills are not recommended for varicose veins and are strictly contraindicated for thrombophlebitis. But the answer to the question of what causes such a ban is unknown to most patients.

It turns out that the constant component of all hormonal birth control pills - estrogen - activates the blood clotting mechanism, resulting in an increased risk of blood clots. It is known that modern drugs with low levels of estrogen are associated with a low risk of thromboembolism, while high-dose hormonal pills do the opposite.

In addition, the likelihood of blood clots increases significantly in women who smoke, patients with high blood cholesterol, severe diabetes, hypertension or obesity.

2. Mini-pills: special hormonal contraceptives

Under the affectionate and usually little-understood name “mini-pill” are hidden hormonal contraceptive pills containing only one component - gestagen. Moreover, the dose of the active substance in the mini-pill is really minimal.

Hormonal mini-pills can be prescribed to patients over 35 years of age, including those over 40, as well as to women with diabetes. Even breastfeeding is not an obstacle to the use of these medications. However, minipills have a lower Pearl index compared to COCs. In addition, drugs in this group can cause intermenstrual bleeding, the appearance of cysts in the ovaries, and even ectopic pregnancy.

Note that the contraceptive effect of the mini-pill is reduced if taken at different times of the day. This drawback often tips the scales in favor of combined hormonal pills.

Among the mini-pills, we will name several drugs registered in Russia: Norgestrel, Levonorgestrel, Linestrenol.

3. Urgent contraception: when you can’t wait

Hormonal emergency contraception drugs are a kind of emergency pills in case of unforeseen circumstances. They hurried, forgot, broke, didn’t find and other verbs in the past tense can briefly describe the standard reasons why women begin to rush around in search of miracle cures for all problems.

And, of course, there are such drugs. They contain high doses of hormones that either prevent ovulation if the problem happened in the first half of the cycle, or change the state of the endometrium if fertilization does occur.

The most well-known emergency contraceptives include Postinor, Microlut and Escapelle. These pills should be used as rarely as possible - after all, the hormonal surge that occurs after taking the drugs is akin to a blow. And not a single organism can withstand being hit with high doses of hormones regularly.

Down with amateur performances!

All hormonal contraceptives, including tablets, are prescription drugs only. And this is no coincidence. After all, the wrong medicine can easily cause menstrual irregularities and other gynecological problems.

Therefore, if you decide to take a hormonal drug, the first person who should know about it is an obstetrician-gynecologist. Remember: the right to select a hormonal contraceptive should be given not to a neighbor, not to a friend on the forum, or even to a pharmacist, but to a doctor.

Menopause: if there is little estrogen

Unfortunately, menopause brings with it a lot of clinical symptoms that are difficult to ignore. Classic symptoms of menopause are characterized by irregular or absent menstrual cycles. In 60% of women, a sharp drop in estrogen levels leads to vascular disorders, which are manifested by hot flashes, sweating and increased heart rate.

Other, no less striking symptoms are also possible. After all, it is estrogens that provide sufficient hydration to the vagina and regulate urination. Until a woman’s body adapts to the new hormonal levels, neurological manifestations of menopause are inevitable: depression, insomnia, mood swings.

An extremely dangerous consequence of menopause is a catastrophic decrease in bone mass. As a result, a disease associated with brittle bones develops - osteoporosis.

If no action is taken, these manifestations can poison a woman’s life for many years. However, the body can be “deceived” if such necessary estrogens are introduced from the outside. And this can be done with the help of hormonal pills, which for some reason some patients are so afraid of. Is the game worth the candle? Let's figure it out together.

Add estrogen: hormonal pills

Hormonal pills used during menopause may contain:

• estrogen only;
• a combination of estrogen and progesterone;
• a combination of estrogen, progesterone and androgen.

The most popular are estrogen preparations. Hormonal pills are taken constantly, that is, daily, or in cycles of several weeks.

In most cases, these medications contain something called conjugated estrogen, which is obtained from the urine of mares. Among them, we note Estrofeminal, Premarin and Hormoplex. All these medications are used cyclically for 21 days, followed by a week-long break.

Biphasic agents

These tablets consist of two components - estrogen and progestogen.

Divina- a drug produced by the Finnish company Orion. The first group of tablets contains only estradiol in a dose of 2 mg, and the second - a combination of 2 mg of estradiol valeriat and 10 mg of gestagen (medroxyprogesterone).

Klimonorm- a German medicine from the Bayer corporation. The main difference from Divina lies in the gestagen: 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel is used as a progesterone-containing component in Klimonorm.

Klymen contains the same 2 mg of estradiol and 1 mg of cyproterone (gestagen).

In addition, other hormonal replacement pills are no less popular among Russian gynecologists, including Cycloprogynova, Femoston, Divitren, Angeliq.

Triphasic hormonal pills

These drugs are designed for continuous use and include three groups of tablets: the first and third contain estrogens, the latter in a lower dose, and the second group includes a combination of estrogen and progestogen.

Only two three-phase drugs are registered in Russia - Trisequens and Trisequens forte.

Hormone replacement pills: contraindications and side effects

Hormonal therapy during menopause is contraindicated for breast or endometrial cancer, severe liver disease, thrombophlebitis, endometriosis, and fibroids.

Side effects of hormone therapy include mood swings, breast engorgement, and intermenstrual bleeding.

And one last thing. Before prescribing hormonal replacement pills, a woman is thoroughly examined, which includes a general urine test, analysis of sugar levels and blood lipid profile, ultrasound of the pelvic organs, ECG, cytological examination of cervical scraping and mammography. And if replacement therapy is not contraindicated, the benefits significantly outweigh the risks.

Hormones for the treatment of inflammation: why are glucocorticoids needed?

A separate group of hormonal tablets are glucocorticosteroids (GCs). They have three properties at the same time: anti-inflammatory, antiallergic and analgesic. This unique triad is the basis for the widespread use of glucocorticoids in almost all areas of medicine.

Synthetic hormone pills containing HA are routinely taken for autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

It is impossible to do without hormonal tablets containing HA in the treatment of allergic diseases, including bronchial asthma. Glucocorticoids are able to reduce the inflammatory response and counteract the activity of immune cells that are involved in the pathological process. Most often, HA is administered by inhalation, but in some severe cases, hormonal drugs in tablets and ampoules are used.

Glucocorticoids are certainly included in the treatment regimen for oncological diseases. Their main purpose is to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. In addition, hormonal tablets can help destroy cancer cells in lymphoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Glucocorticoids in tablets

Most often, several tableted glucocorticoids are used.

The drug effectively reduces inflammation by suppressing the function of leukocytes. Interestingly, the anti-inflammatory effect of Dexamethasone is 30 times greater than the activity of another GC - hydrocortisone.

Dexamethasone tablets are indicated for the hormonal treatment of Addison's disease, hypothyroidism, bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, eczema, and malignant tumors in advanced stages.

The dosage of Dexamethasone is selected individually.

The drug is an analogue of hydrocortisone. Prednisolone is able to influence all stages of the inflammatory process and have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.

There are indeed many indications for the use of Prednisolone tablets - hormonal treatment is prescribed for systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, joint diseases, bronchial asthma, cancer, adrenal insufficiency, allergies, autoimmune pathologies and many others.

The drug produced by the Polish plant Polfa contains triamcinolone GC in a dose of 4 mg. The main indications for Polcortolone include joint diseases, allergic pathologies that are difficult to treat, rheumatic, dermatological, hematological, oncological and other diseases.

Side effects of glucocorticoids

HAs have truly unique qualities. Therefore, glucocorticoids could be called healing drugs, if not for the side effects. Due to the large number of adverse events due to treatment, long-term use of these drugs may even be dangerous.

We list the most common side effects of hormonal tablets of the glucocorticoid group:

• decreased immunity;
• increased blood sugar levels. With long-term treatment with GC, the development of diabetes mellitus is possible;
• decreased calcium absorption, which can lead to osteoporosis, a dangerous bone disease;
• amyotrophy;
• increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood;
• mood changes, depression, memory impairment, in severe cases - psychosis;
• gastritis and peptic ulcer;
• menstrual irregularities, decreased libido;
• slow wound healing;
• weight gain.

Another extremely unpleasant side of corticosteroids is withdrawal syndrome: after stopping long-term use of hormonal pills, there is a possibility of severe side effects. To avoid such a development of events, medications should be discontinued gradually, gradually reducing the dose over a certain period of time.

Hormonal deficiency: when can you not do without pills?

The most common pathologies that require constant use of hormonal medications are diseases of the thyroid gland.

Thyroid insufficiency - hypothyroidism - is a common disease in which the production of hormones is reduced. Treatment is based primarily on compensating for the lack of hormones. For this purpose, hormonal tablets are prescribed, which include sodium levothyroxine.

Levothyroxine sodium is a levorotatory isomer of thyroxine. It is a synthetic analogue of thyroid hormone. Thyroxine is the first-line medicine for hypothyroidism, euthyroid goiter, and also after removal or resection of the thyroid gland.

Despite the fact that thyroxine is a hormonal medicine, when the correct dosage is prescribed according to indications, there are practically no side effects.

Hormones in oncology: when drugs save lives

Hormone therapy in oncology, along with chemotherapy, is one of the main drug treatments for cancer. Hormone treatment is used for several types of hormone-sensitive tumors, including breast, prostate, endometrial (uterine cancer), and adrenal cortex.

Most drugs used to treat hormone-dependent tumors inhibit, that is, block the release of hormones. These drugs include one of the most well-known drugs for the treatment of breast cancer - Tamoxifen.

Many drugs can reduce the production of other hormones, which are responsible for the growth of malignant tumors. Often, hormonal treatment is almost the only opportunity to fight the tumor and prolong the patient’s life.

Hormonal pills are a whole pharmaceutical world, in which there is a place for effectiveness, uniqueness, and side effects. And only doctors can untie this tangled tangle of complex concepts, indications and contraindications. Then the correctly prescribed remedy turns out to be the right path to a fulfilling life.

The word “hormones” evokes fear in 60% of modern women. This fact is not surprising: hormone therapy is indeed quite a serious and often not harmless treatment measure. The dangers of hormonal drugs are often talked about a lot, while their benefits are rarely remembered. But few people think that hormonal therapy can significantly improve a person’s quality of life, and sometimes even support this very life (for diabetes, thyroid diseases, bronchial asthma, etc.).

Are hormonal pills harmful?

Just as hormones differ from hormones, hormonal drugs differ in the degree of positive and negative effects on the body. The balance of harm and benefit of hormonal drugs is determined by the type of hormone, its concentration, frequency, duration and method of application.

Yes, of course, hormonal drugs cause certain harm to the body. But, as a rule, they do not cause more harm to health than the disease for which this drug is used. Today there are diseases that cannot be treated without hormones.

Why are hormonal drugs harmful?

It is necessary to clearly understand that hormonal drugs of the 21st century cannot be compared with hormonal drugs of the 20th century. If our mothers associated the phrase “hormonal treatment” with excess weight, swelling, unnatural hair growth, then in our time such side effects are minimized. But it is important to understand that the harm from using a hormonal drug will be minimal only if it is selected correctly.

So, why are hormonal drugs harmful? To answer this question, you just need to read the instructions for use for a specific product. In the “Side Effects” section, as a rule, the entire range of possible (but not obligatory) side effects is indicated, among them the classic ones: metabolic disorders, weight gain, excessive hair growth, skin rashes, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, and others.

Harm and benefits of hormonal contraceptives

Hormonal therapy in women most often involves treatment with oral contraceptives (OCs), the main purpose of which is contraception, and the therapeutic effect is achieved as a positive side effect. Discussions about the benefits and harms of hormonal contraceptives have been ongoing for many years.

Some theorists and practitioners of medicine, including alternative medicine, are categorically against the use of hormonal contraceptives in medical practice, since they cause irreparable harm to the female body in the form of suppression of ovarian function, changes in a woman’s natural background, and dangerous side effects.

Another part of the experts claims, and numerous scientific studies confirm, that everything written above has nothing to do with modern OK. Huge doses of hormones contained in the first generations of hormonal preparations caused serious harm to the female body. Improved OCs of the new generation are distinguished by a mild effect due to maximum purification and minimal quantitative hormone content. While taking OK:

The benefit-risk ratio when taking hormonal contraceptive pills is clearly positive.

And to a common question from women: “Why are hormonal pills harmful?” we can give the following answer: in the absence of contraindications, subject to the correct diagnosis and correct selection of the drug - practically nothing. During the first three months of use (the period of adaptation to the drug), side effects are possible: nausea, headaches and dizziness, engorgement of the mammary glands, mood swings, decreased sexual desire.

For some female diseases, hormone therapy is the most effective treatment. Such drugs often cause concern among patients themselves: possible negative consequences are difficult to prevent. Side effects of hormonal drugs can be quite dangerous.

Properties of drugs

The composition of hormonal preparations includes substances whose properties are as close as possible to natural human hormones. Hormones are naturally produced in healthy people by certain glands:

• adrenal glands;
• endocrine gland;

• pituitary gland;
• pancreas.

Some diseases cause a malfunction that blocks the proper functioning of the systems responsible for the production of hormones.

Hormone-based drugs include several categories of drugs:

• supportive (for diabetics);
• contraceptives;
• regulatory;
• medicinal.

Products can be of both plant and synthetic origin.

Purpose of using hormonal drugs

Hormone therapy for the treatment of diabetes is represented by short-, medium- or long-acting insulin.

Beta cells in the pancreas are responsible for the natural production of this substance. Its main task is to maintain normal glucose levels.

Therapeutic hormones are prescribed for therapy for the following disorders:

• inflammation;
• allergic diseases;
• tumors;
• anemia;
• gynecological pathologies;
• ectopic pregnancy;
• abortion.

Contraceptives often contain a certain combination of sex hormones - estrogen and progestin. Long-term use of such drugs changes the functioning of the ovaries, as a result of which the ovulation process is eliminated, and fertilization in this case becomes impossible.

In some cases, oral contraceptives also perform regulatory functions: they can be prescribed to “correct” hormonal levels in women. Such disruptions negatively affect not only sexual functions, but also the general condition of the body. Long-term violations lead to infertility and oncology.

The main hormonal imbalance in the female body occurs during menopause. After 35 years, the process of estrogen production slows down. Progesterone, which is needed to renew endometrial cells in the uterus, also decreases. At the last stage of menopause, the production of estrogen completely stops.

All body systems suffer from menopause, from the thyroid gland to carbohydrate metabolism. This negatively affects the quality of life. Premature menopause, caused by hormonal imbalance, is especially difficult for the body to tolerate. With the help of hormonal drugs, the level of estrogen and progesterone is brought closer to the natural norm.

Common Side Effects

Prevention and ways to reduce side effects

With the right approach to treatment, the negative impact of hormonal drugs on the body can be minimized. The greatest danger is treatment without the supervision of a specialist. Self-prescribing medication is very dangerous.

When using the drug, you must follow simple rules:

• purchase exactly the prescribed drug from a reliable manufacturer, without trying to find an analogue;
• carefully follow the dosage recommended by your doctor;
• take medications according to the prescribed schedule;
• do not skip taking a pill or injection;
• if missed, do not increase the dose in an attempt to correct hormonal levels.

During treatment, the body needs maximum support from the immune system. To raise it, it is recommended to take vitamin-mineral complexes in parallel with hormonal medications. It is worth considering that synthetic vitamins put a strain on the kidneys; they can be replaced with a balanced, proper diet.

The course of treatment is determined individually, but it is advisable that taking hormones last no longer than nine months. After taking medications, the body needs a short break. If necessary, treatment is resumed after 2–3 months.

In some pathological conditions, hormonal treatment is the patient's only chance for a full life. You cannot refuse to take medications, despite the extensive list of contraindications and side effects.

Oral contraception is considered the most effective method of preventing unwanted pregnancy. Every year, new contraceptive drugs are developed that have virtually no side effects. But many women, knowing the consequences of taking birth control pills, prefer other methods of contraception. They explain this choice by their reluctance to get health problems and interfere with the body’s natural hormonal processes.

A gynecologist will help you choose a method of contraception on an individual basis.

The effectiveness of taking oral contraceptives in preventing unwanted conception is undeniable. Therefore, before categorically rejecting such a method of protection, it is necessary to carefully weigh the pros and cons. Modern oral contraceptive pills have the minimum possible list of side effects, so their effectiveness is much higher and more significant than the unpleasant consequences. As a rule, COCs correct the hormonal status of patients, however, such changes almost always benefit women.

1. The mechanism of action of the tablets is realized at the cellular level, because gestagens and estrogens block receptor functions in a woman’s reproductive structures. As a result of this effect, ovulation is inhibited. Due to a decrease in the production of pituitary hormones (FSH and LH), the maturation and development of female germ cells is suppressed.
2. Contraceptives also affect the uterine body, more precisely, its internal endometrial layer, in which a kind of atrophy occurs. Therefore, if it happens that a female cell nevertheless matures, leaves the ovary and is fertilized, then it will no longer be able to implant into the uterine endometrium.
3. In addition, oral contraceptive pills change the properties of cervical mucus, increasing its viscosity. Due to such changes, the uterine cavity is protected from the penetration of sperm into it.
4. COCs also affect the fallopian tubes, reducing their contractile capabilities, which significantly complicates the passage of the germ cell through these channels, making it almost impossible.

The effect of oral contraception is most clearly expressed in ovulatory inhibition. These drugs lead to the creation of a new, artificial monthly cycle in the female body, and they suppress the normal, natural one. In fact, the reproductive system functions according to a feedback mechanism, when pituitary hormones are produced due to a decrease in estrogen-progestogen production. That is, if a sufficient amount of progestin and estrogen hormones enters the body from the outside, the pituitary gland stops producing tropic hormonal substances. As a result, the growth and development of female germ cells stops.

You should not take any medications yourself, as this can cause irreparable harm to your health.

It is impossible to say for sure how much the patient’s hormonal background will change while taking oral contraception, since the body is individual. The degree of changes depends on the amount of adipose tissue and weight, as well as on the content of SSG (sex-binding globulin) in the blood, which is responsible for binding and transporting estradiol and testosterone. It is not advisable to conduct studies of estrogens and progesterone hormones when taking oral contraceptives. When taking high-dose contraceptives, the patient’s hormonal background acquires “pregnant” indicators, but if low-dose drugs were taken, then these indicators will still be higher than normal, but lower than when carrying a child.

The effect of oral contraception on the patient’s body

As a rule, when any hormonal substance enters the body, the activity of the entire system malfunctions, connections and interactions between intraorganic structures and glandular organs are disrupted. As a result, the processes of stress resistance, immune defense and self-regulation lose stability, and immune endocrine and nervous system structures begin to function in a hyper-stress mode. Amid such intense activity, a disruption soon occurs.

Instead of interacting optimally and productively with each other, internal organs and glandular structures establish artificial, rough connections that function forcedly. That is, the body is subjected to functional violence. If the patient takes any hormonal medications, the intrasecreting glands stop producing these hormones on their own. It is quite understandable why do extra work if the hormone is present in the body in the required quantities. If such a picture does not last long, then everything is still fixable, but with a long-term disturbance, drying out of the glandular body can occur, its atrophy, and, accordingly, problems arise in the functioning of all structures that depend on this gland.

Under the influence of taking oral contraceptive drugs, a woman’s normal monthly cycle disappears. The patient regularly experiences withdrawal bleeding, however, it has nothing to do with menstruation, since the woman actually does not have a menstrual cycle. The female cycle is very sensitive to intraorganic changes; it is the cyclical nature of processes in the body that ensures the full functioning of all systems, and not only reproductive ones.

If there is a disorder in the functioning of organs and systems in the body, then the body will need a lot of effort to maintain normal functioning. As a result, all systems get used to working hard under stress. When taking contraceptives for a long time and constantly, you cannot count on maintaining a normal female cycle in the future.

What consequences may arise if canceled?

Almost every woman knows about the potential harm of birth control pills. But today, pharmaceutical companies are massively promoting drugs from the mini-pill category among young girls and women. The annotation states that they contain only small doses of progesterone hormone, so there is no need to worry about adverse reactions such as serious hormonal imbalance when taking them. But this is not true at all.

Attention! Mini-pills do not in any way guarantee the absence of adverse reactions, and their mechanism of action is practically no different from COCs. As a result of taking these “safe” contraceptives, the body receives a signal about the state of pregnancy for a long time. And all the time. But the female body does not have such resources to be able to bear a child for several years.

While taking the mini-pill, egg maturation and conception are also blocked, the production of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones is suppressed, which negatively affects the activity of other endocrine glands. If you look at the problem from the other side, the use of contraceptives can have both negative and positive consequences.

Positive

Properly selected pills have a beneficial effect on the female body

Positive effects when taking contraceptive pills include the absence of ovulation. Over the course of a month, the uterine body prepares to receive the egg, but it does not mature. Normally, when menstruation occurs, there is a sharp drop in hormonal levels, which is a stress factor for the body. When taking COC drugs, ovulation does not occur, the ovaries rest, so the uterus is not subject to monthly stress.

Another positive aspect of taking contraceptive pills is the absence of hormonal surges, which ensures the elimination of PMS, which is also closely associated with strong fluctuations in hormonal levels. The absence of premenstrual syndrome ensures a woman’s nervous system stability, eliminating the likelihood of conflicts that often occur against the background of PMS.

According to many gynecologists, hormonal contraception allows you to regulate your periods. Yes, when taking COCs, monthly bleeding actually becomes regular, and its abundance and duration are noticeably reduced. In addition, oral contraceptives minimize the risk of developing ovarian and uterine tumor processes and reduce the frequency of inflammatory pathologies.

It cannot be denied that taking pills that prevent conception prevents the development of osteoporosis, which develops against the background of estrogen deficiency. COCs do contain estrogen. In addition, COCs have a therapeutic effect against pathologies caused by androgen excess. Contraceptives suppress androgen secretion, eliminating fairly common problems such as acne, alopecia, oily skin or hirsutism.

Negative

As for the undesirable consequences of using oral contraception, they are generally due to the estrogen effect on the female body. Taking these drugs does not cause pathologies, however, they can provoke various exacerbations and complications of existing predispositions to certain hormone-dependent diseases. Although, if you maintain a healthy lifestyle, limit alcohol and give up cigarettes, then the negative consequences of taking contraception will be minimal. Such consequences include:

Such reactions are not obligatory and do not occur in all patients. If some of them do arise, they usually neutralize on their own after a couple of months, until the body gets used to the drugs being taken.

Is it possible to become dependent on COCs?

With uncontrolled and long-term use of hormonal contraceptives, ovarian atrophy can develop, which will only progress over time. Against the background of such a complication, a woman will not be able to give up oral contraceptives, as she will become dependent on them. Hormonal substances of synthetic origin are so naturally integrated into intraorganic metabolic processes that they suppress the activity of glandular organs. Therefore, if you refuse hormonal contraception, the body will begin to experience an acute deficiency of hormonal substances, which is much more dangerous than taking COCs. It’s just that the body, or more precisely, its glands, have forgotten how to function fully, so the abolition of contraceptives becomes a serious problem for many girls.

As a result, women continue to take contraceptives, not so much to prevent conception (it becomes impossible due to ovarian atrophy), but to avoid the onset of rapid and early aging of the body. Therefore, when deciding on the use of hormonal oral contraception, it is necessary to contact a highly qualified specialist who will competently select the drug and determine the safe timing of its use. Self-prescription of such medications can result in irreversible consequences.

Should I take contraceptive pills or not?

Undoubtedly, every girl/woman must decide for herself whether to take hormonal contraceptives or not. If you have already decided to use oral contraceptives for a while, then you need to select pills only according to the recommendations of a practicing gynecologist, and not at your own request. Before taking COCs, it is imperative to undergo an examination, take a smear and blood test, and undergo ultrasound diagnostics for possible tumor processes. Only based on the tests will the doctor be able to select the right drug.